Fake Panorama

Here’s an image that is more heavily-edited than I usually attempt. I wanted a panorama shot but for various reasons it wasn’t an option, so I cropped it to make it look like a panorama. I also distorted the heck out of it in post processing to add to the panorama effect. Really though I most like the hazy field across the road and the interesting colors. I did darken the clouds a bit and added a yellow tint to add drama to the sky. I also nudged up the green saturation to give a bit more color to the photo.

My biggest criticism of this image – and it is a significant criticism – is that the horizon splits the photo dead center across the middle. Because I didn’t have a clear enough idea of what I wanted the final result to be when I took the picture, I didn’t compose the image correctly and I’m unable to correct it now in post work. If I bring the horizon down any further, there are leaves in the upper left that just sort of hang from nowhere and are a significant distraction. If I raise the horizon, I lose the drama of the clouds.

Live and learn. No matter what you’re shooting, assume it’s going to be awesome and frame the shot accordingly.